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Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

  • 1.  Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 25-Nov-2020 11:04
    Hello Fellow Independent Reg Consultants,

    I am looking for a simple and not-too-expensive software package to keep track of my time and create invoices for clients at the end of each month. I have been using an Excel spreadsheet. It works but it is tedious and time-consuming to generate invoices.

    Can anyone recommend a software solution that they like and find easy to use? Thanks in advance for your help!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Julie


    ------------------------------
    Julie Broderick RAC
    Principal/Consultant
    Winchester MA
    United States
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 25-Nov-2020 14:41
    Hi Julie, 

    I think @Rich Wynkoop ​was using a system for recording consulting hours for his consultants and then generating invoices.  I do not know whether the system was a software package that was automatic or not.  

    @Rich Wynkoop - Do you have a software system that would help Julie?  ​See her post pasted in this message below.

    Have a great and safe Thanksgiving!

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ​Hello Fellow Independent Reg Consultants,

    I am looking for a simple and not-too-expensive software package to keep track of my time and create invoices for clients at the end of each month. I have been using an Excel spreadsheet. It works but it is tedious and time-consuming to generate invoices.

    Can anyone recommend a software solution that they like and find easy to use? Thanks in advance for your help!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Julie


    ------------------------------
    Julie Broderick RAC
    Principal/Consultant
    Winchester MA
    United States
    ------------------------------
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ------------------------------
    Alyssa Thomas RAC
    Principal Consultant
    Beaverton OR
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 26-Nov-2020 17:14

    Have you tried FreshBooks? It allows you to track your time per client and project and migrate that information to an invoice. You can add as much or as little detail as you need. It is all cloud based so can access it from multiple devices. 

    Lisa



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Loram RAC
    Sr Director, Regulatory Science
    Acton MA
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 30-Nov-2020 08:47
    Thank you, Lisa!

    ------------------------------
    Julie Broderick RAC
    Principal/Consultant
    Winchester MA
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 27-Nov-2020 13:53
    Hi Julie,

    I also started tracking my time in spreadsheets and now I use Zoho Projects. which has plans priced between $3 and $6 monthly. We had already set up our finances, including invoicing, with Quickbooks to work with our accountant, but I use Zoho Projects to track my time. I have found it to be easy to use to plan and keep track of my projects. It has the option to enter hours directly or to use timers as you work on a task, which I consider a key feature. It does have an invoice option but I haven't explored this.

    I have also heard good things about FreshBooks, as Lisa mentioned.

    Marianne



    ------------------------------
    Marianne Jacklyn
    Principal Consultant
    West Linn OR
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 30-Nov-2020 08:47
    Thank you, Marianne!

    ------------------------------
    Julie Broderick RAC
    Principal/Consultant
    Winchester MA
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 01-Dec-2020 08:25
    Quickbooks has a time tracker by employee or vendor that can be tracked to client project.   Using that feature plus expenses on a client's behalf, I can generate a complete invoice for them of consulting services (time) plus physical expenses (shipping submission to FDA, travel, etc)

    I like having it all internal in my own system. Not hard, just have a CPA help set it up and review or audit you periodically (once a year (review before taxes)). Cost of doing business and keeps me up on tax regulations/issues coming out of Congress.

    I am partly picky about this (imagine that).  I actually keep time and subsequent estimated invoice initially on a spreadsheet with every activity  detailed, and then concurrently enter it into QB as I go. 

    Then, QB is my double check when I create an invoice, that the 2 numbers match up and are assigned to the correct client. (Lol, like a double entry database).




    ------------------------------
    Ginger Cantor, MBA, RAC
    Founder/Principal Consultant
    Centaur Consulting LLC
    River Falls, Wisconsin 54022 USA
    715-307-1850
    centaurconsultingllc@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 28-Nov-2020 00:49
    I use TimeClock, since my needs are simple, and the app works well for me.

    ------------------------------
    Maninder Chopra
    PhD
    Frederick MD
    United States
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  • 9.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 30-Nov-2020 08:47
    Thank you, Maninder

    ------------------------------
    Julie Broderick RAC
    Principal/Consultant
    Winchester MA
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 02-Dec-2020 22:52

    Hi!

    We use trackingtime.co
    It's a cloud-based systema and fairly easy to use.
    Up to 3 users it has a free limited version. Otherwise you pay per user per month.
    Hope it helps.
    Cheers,

    Ele



    ------------------------------
    Eleonora Scoseria Pharm
    Quimica Farmaceutica
    Montevideo
    Uruguay
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  • 11.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 10-Dec-2020 18:08
    The cheapest version of Quickbooks does it all (~$25/month).  I switched to QB about 6 months ago and couldn't be happier.   You don't need their add on timesheet function.

    You can use the "Time Activity" function in the Sales section to track your time as you accrue it, then select all the "Time Activities" related to a client or project & QB will pull those activities into an invoice for you.  Easy peasy.  No additional software or plugins needed.

    Hope this helps,
    Michelle

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    Michelle McGuinness
    Consultant - Regulatory Affairs Available Jan 2020
    Glenmoore PA
    United States
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  • 12.  RE: Time-Tracking & Invoicing Software for Reg Consultants

    Posted 10-Dec-2020 18:25
    I bought a single copy and don't pay a  recurring fee for online access. Awesome


    Ginger